The Mots - The Mots

Rating: * * * *

Chemistry is a curious thing. The Mots are comprised of two halves of local bands Motocade (Eden and Will Mullholland) and Petrol Cowboy (Jolyon Mulholland and Greg Hillier). Solid, if not revolutionary, bands. But put the two halves together - reuniting three Mulholland brothers - and something magical happens. You get The Mots, whose debut album is a diverse, easy and energetic wander through pop, rock and indie sounds.

Like Phoenix Foundation on a bit more Berocca, The Mots remind you that indie rock isn't all about scenesters in skinny jeans. They also prove it is possible to deliver an interesting and varied record without lurching and lumbering through genres or sounding erratic and disconnected.

Opening with the military drumroll and nursery rhyme singsong of Scared of Myself, the album moves swiftly into the cool 60s guitar jam 500 Years, a gem of a track that shows off Jolyon and Eden's nimble fingers - and not for the first time.

With the restrained psychedelia of Normal People the brothers set their guitar strings alight as they rock out in the closing bars.

Elsewhere, there is breezy, laid-back surf pop; Strokes-inspired distorted rock; upbeat indie jams; and thoughtful dream pop. All delivered quickly and cleanly, clocking in at just over half-an-hour.

It's easy listening in the best possible way.

Joanna Hunkin